Survey signals quickening of trend by firms to cut retirees' coverage

[Pale Blue Dot]

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/nation/7712921.htm

One in five U.S. companies may eliminate health-care coverage for new retirees in the next three years as medical costs rise and the government prepares to offer seniors prescription-drug benefits, a survey suggested yesterday.

Almost three-fourths of the companies polled made retirees pay a bigger share of health-insurance premiums in the last year, according to the survey, conducted by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and Hewitt Associates. About half the companies limited how much they would spend on benefits.

<snip>

Younger retirees had premium increases of 20 percent and paid an average of $166 a month for single coverage, while retirees who are at least 65 years old had to pay 18 percent more, or $83 a month, the Kaiser survey showed. Older retirees pay less because they get most of their care through Medicare.

Without such coverage, younger retirees may pay twice as much for coverage and older ones may not get assistance buying prescriptions, Kaiser and Hewitt said.

[lovedems]

1. Screw the kids, screw the seniors, we have corporate benefactors

that need to be paid back.

When, just when, will the american people wake up and realize that this administration will screw anybody but go after the ones who need help the most?

[sallyseven]

2. Of course

Then everyone can join the crummy insurance scheme brought to you by bush. That is the downfall of medicare and corporates can add a lot more to their bottom line. It is all smoke and mirrors. SS is next.

[PatrioticOhioLiberal]

3. Why

does this not surprise me...Bushytushy has handed them a banquet, did anyone really think they wouldn't gorge themselves on it?

God I hate that man!

[TheDalaiMama]

4. I bet they get money and still cut the programs....I am sure there

are loopholes to allow them to take the money and run.

[Bozita]

5. This is kinda like an Enron deal for old folks

This will devastate many.

[Karenina]

6. *It has ALREADY devastated

MANY.